Tearfund Canada is a 4-star charity that is financially transparent. It has an above average results reporting grade and its overhead costs are outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Ci has given this charity a Good rating for demonstrated impact.

Founded in 1970, Tearfund Canada (TFC), formerly World Relief Canada, aims to reduce global poverty. The charity partners with local churches to deliver aid and training as part of its church-based approach. TFC is also a member of Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). CFGB is a partnership of 15 Christian organizations with the goal of ending global hunger. TFC states that 1 in 11 people (712 million) live in extreme poverty around the world.

A Charity Intelligence Top 100 Rated Charity.

TFC spent $6.7m on its programs in its fiscal year ending June 2024 (F2024). The charity runs seven main programs, listed below. In its audited financial statements, TFC breaks down its program spending into three categories: Development, Relief and Rehabilitation, and Education. It is unclear how its seven programs fit into these categories.

The Food Security program provides training for farmers to help them create better producing food sources. TFC states it trained 11,903 farmers in F2024. It also reports it made 105,813 people less hungry.

The Poverty Alleviation program creates savings groups and provides business training. Savings groups bring members together to save money and provide each other with loans and support. The charity reports it enrolled 9,042 people in 351 new savings groups in F2024.

The Church Mobilization program trains churches to help them reduce poverty in their communities. TFC reports it trained 391 church leaders in F2024. It also reports local African churches started 451 projects.

The Trauma Healing program helps women heal from sexual violence and abuse. TFC states it formed 709 trauma healing groups in F2024. It also trained 228 church and community leaders in trauma healing.

The Climate Adaptation program helps farmers deal with climate change. TFC reports that it planted 5,166,766 trees and started 387 tree nurseries in F2024.

The Emergency Relief program provides aid to those suffering due to natural disasters or conflict. TFC reports it helped 30,075 families in F2024.

The Partnering in Reconciliation program provides buffalo to Indigenous communities in Canada. A total of 18 buffalo calves were born in F2024.

Tearfund Canada’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a best practice. This means its expenses are clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.

In F2024 TFC received $3.0m in donations. It also received $5.0m in government funding. Government funding is 62% of total revenue.

Administrative costs are 4% of revenues (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 33% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 37%. For every dollar donated, 63 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

In F2024 TFC spent $6.7m on its programs, which is 83% of its revenue. In F2024 it had a surplus of $27k.

Tearfund Canada has $2.3m in reserve funds (cash and investments). The reserves can cover 35%, or four months of program costs.

This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to Tearfund Canada. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on May 28, 2025, by Grady Simpson.